Managing Stress

When we hear the word ‘stress’ all sorts of images and pre-conceived thoughts
come to mind. More often than not we view stress as something that is very bad
for us and in some extreme cases it is but stress is part and parcel of our every
day life and it only becomes harmful when it becomes overwhelming.

We all have different stressors and it is important to identify yours. Stress
experts recommend setting aside 10 – 20 minutes a day for relaxation practice.
This may sound like a lot of time to set aside when you’re busy but it’s not always
necessary for you to be in a quiet room or alone in a room to practice relaxation
techniques, they can be practiced at your desk, on your commute to or from
work on the bus or on the train or even at lunchtime.

Relaxation isn’t difficult but it does take practice. It’s natural for our minds to
wander and we can’t always ‘switch off’ from what’s going on in our lives or
around us and we shouldn’t feel disheartened or give up if this happens. Like
everything in life practice makes perfect and you’ll soon learn how to bring your
mind back to focus.

Choosing a relaxation technique that is right for you depends on how you react
to stress. If you become angry or agitated when you’re stressed, relaxation
techniques such as meditation, deep breathing or guided relaxation/imagery
may be beneficial for you.

If you have a tendency to become withdrawn when stressed, engaging in Group
exercises such as teacher led exercise classes where you’re in the company of
others may help.

When you’re feeling stressed it always helps to talk to someone “a problem
shared is a problem halved’ as they say. Talk to a friend about what you’re going
through, you’d be amazed how much it helps to get those thoughts and feelings
out and have someone just listen.

If you feel you’re becoming overwhelmed with stress, discuss how you’re feeling
with your doctor or healthcare professional and he or she will help you to
identify your stressors and give you advice on the most effective relaxation
techniques for you.